Description
In 1959, in Poplarville, Mississippi, a young black man charged with the rape of a white woman was abducted from his gaol cell by a white mob, beaten, carried across the state lines, and finally shot, his body being dumped in the Pearl River. A massive FBI investigation followed and two grand juries met to investigate the lynching; yet no arrests or indictments were ever made. This book meticulously reconstructs the story of one of the last lynchings in America - a grim, dramatic, but nearly forgotten episode from the Civil Rights era. Howard Smead presents a vivid picture of a small Southern town gripped by racism and distrust of federal authority, and of the travesty that followed in the wake of the lynching.
About the Author
Howard Smead is a lecturer in History and Afro-American Studies at the University of Maryland and Director of Night Research at The Washington Post.
Reviews
'This meticulous account of an almost forgotton event fills a significant gap in the history of the Civil Rights era.' Washington Post Book World 'Mr Smead's account is not openly didactic or moralistic. Instead, he relies on a fine sense of organization and tight journalistic prose to propel the story. "Blood Justice" is a grim reminder of what Southern race relations once were' Baltimore Sun 'A powerful and thought-provoking documentary.' Booklist 'Smead used an impressive array of primary sources, particularly Justice Department and FBI documents only recently available, plus interviews with participants and newspaper accounts. The resulting history of this forgotton episode simply must be included in any public or academic collection' Choice
Book Information
ISBN 9780195054293
Author Howard Smead
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 304g
Dimensions(mm) 202mm * 137mm * 13mm
About the Author
Howard Smead is a lecturer in History and Afro-American Studies at the University of Maryland and Director of Night Research at The Washington Post.
Reviews
'This meticulous account of an almost forgotton event fills a significant gap in the history of the Civil Rights era.' Washington Post Book World 'Mr Smead's account is not openly didactic or moralistic. Instead, he relies on a fine sense of organization and tight journalistic prose to propel the story. "Blood Justice" is a grim reminder of what Southern race relations once were' Baltimore Sun 'A powerful and thought-provoking documentary.' Booklist 'Smead used an impressive array of primary sources, particularly Justice Department and FBI documents only recently available, plus interviews with participants and newspaper accounts. The resulting history of this forgotton episode simply must be included in any public or academic collection' Choice
Book Information
ISBN 9780195054293
Author Howard Smead
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 304g
Dimensions(mm) 202mm * 137mm * 13mm
